Golf practice apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for practicing swinging of a golf club which comprises a body cage member and a hitting track member to inculcate upon the user proper hip movement during the swing and movement of the golf club head in the proper path when contacting a golf ball. The body cage member is adjustable both vertically and laterally to accommodate a golder&#39;&#39;s hips. The track member is adjustable to different distances from the cage member to accommodate the different lengths of the various clubs. The track member&#39;&#39;s alignment is also adjustable to develop various golf club swings, e.g., an inside-out swing.

mite States Patent John J. Cavanaugh 77 W. Washington St., Chicago. 111. 60602 [21] Appl. No. 876,385

[22] Filed Nov. 13, 1969 [45] Patented Nov. 30, 1971 [72] Inventor [54] GOLF PRACTICE APPARATUS 1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 273/183 B, 273/186 c. 273/188 1R 5 1] 1m. C1 A63b 69/36 [50] Fieldol'Search 273/186,

Primary Examiner-George .l. Marlo ABSTRACT: Apparatus for practicing swinging of a golf club which comprises a body cage member and a hitting track member to inculcate upon the user proper hip movement during the swing and movement of the golf club head in the proper path when contacting a golf ball. The body cage member is adjustable both vertically and laterally to accommodate a golder's hips. The track member is adjustable to different distances from the cage member to accommodate the different lengths of the various clubs. The track member's alignment is also adjustable to develop various golf club swings, eg. an inside-out swing.

PATENTEU NHVSU IQH GOLF PRACTICE APPARATUS This invention relates to golf practice apparatus.

It is the desire of practically all golfers to develop a consistently proper swing so as to minimize dubbed" shots. Dubbed or poor shots result when the head of a golf club does not strike the golf ball properly and there are a number of causes thereof. For example, if the golf club is swung in such a manner that the club head strikes the playing surface prior to contacting the ball, a topped shot frequently results. A major cause of such topped shots is that in making the backswing the golfer sways; the golfers hips moving laterally thus changing the center point of the swing with the result that on the downswing the club head is not brought back to the original desired position so as to contact the ball cleanly. Another common cause of poor golf shots is failure of the golfer upon the downswing to insure that the golf club head is travelling in the right direction or path. Thus, if the club head is brought into contact with the ball from an outside-in direction the ball in flight is caused to spin producing a sliced shot. Contrariwise, if the golf club head is brought into contact with the ball from an "inside-out direction, a spin is imparted to the ball such that a "hooked shot results. For a straight golf shot it is mandatory that upon the downswing the golf club travel in a relatively limited set path with minimum lateral deviation therefrom. Lateral deviation from the intended line of flight can result from improper movement of the golfers arms dur ing the swing (frequently designated flying elbows) or from improper wrist action. In any event, it is desirable that the golfer develop a swing which consistently results in the golf club head contacting the ball sharply while travelling in the desired direction. Accordingly, it is the principal object of this invention to provide golf practice apparatus, the use of which assists a golfer in developing a consistently proper golf swing.

lt is a further object of the invention to provide golf practice apparatus which, in use, indicates to a golfer if he has swayed excessively and if the club head on the downswing is travelling in the desired path or groove.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a golfer using the practice apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the golf practice apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the golf practice apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a golfer using the practice apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the track portion of the golf practice apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, numeral designates the body cage which is comprised of vertically extending side rods 11 and 12, which are telescopically received in holders 13 and 14, respectively. Secured to the upper end portions of side rods 11 and 12, respectively, are hip guides 15 and 16 which are shown in curved form but which can be straight parallel members. The hip guides can be positioned at a height corresponding to the height of the user's hips by vertical adjustment of side rods 11 and 12 within the respective holders l3 and 14. Locking of the side rods in the desired position can be accomplished by means of locking screw means 17 which can be inserted in apertures 18 provided on holders 13 and 14.

The holders l3 and 14 are secured at the lower ends to horizontal support members 20 and 21, respectively, which have a telescopic construction so as to permit backward and forward adjustment of hitting track 24. All of the members thus far described can be made of any suitable rigid material such as wood, metal, etc. I

Hitting track 24 is attached to the forward projecting ends of support members 20 and 21 by bolt means 25 with a series of apertures 26 being provided in track 24 for this purpose. The hitting track 24 is made of a resilient material which is sufficiently rigid so as to retain its form and be capable of withstanding blows from a golf club head. Thus, hard rubber, plastics and the like can be used in construction of the hitting track 24 which comprises a bottom surface portion 27 and upstanding sides 28 and 29. The width of the bottom surface portion 27 of track 24 is such as to accommodate a golf club head with some clearance and can be say 4-5 inches. It will be noted that sidewall 28 of track 24 is of greater height than sidewall 29 which is tapered so as to preclude interference with the shaft of a golf club. lt will be appreciated that the hitting track illustrated in the drawings is adapted for a righthanded golfer and for use by a left-handed golfer the hitting track would be constructed in reverse fashion.

In use of the golf practice apparatus of the invention a golfer adjusts the height of hip guides l5 and 16 so that they are substantially the same height as the golfers hips. The hip guides are also adjusted laterally so as to provide a relatively small space between the guides and the golfers hips. This is done by aligning support member 20 with the appropriate apertures 26 in track wall 29. When so adjusted, the golfers hips will contact the hip guides when the golfer unduly sways while making his swing. ln this way the golfer is made immediately aware of any tendency to sway while making his swing and he can strive to correct this fault.

Not only does the golf practice apparatus of the invention assist the golfer in correcting any tendency to sway unduly, but the apparatus also assists the golfer in his efforts to swing the club head in the desired path in the hitting zone. To this end track 24 is positioned the desired distance from the golfer by moving the telescoping support members 20 and 2] so as to properly position the track, taking into consideration the length of the particular golf club being used at a given time. Similarly, the golf track can be aligned as desired. Thus, if the golfer desires to develop a swing in which the golf club head travels in a path substantially parallel to the plane between rods 11 and 12, the track can be so positioned by extending support members 20 and 21 substantially the same distance. On the other hand, if a golfer wishes to develop an inside-out swing, the track can be aligned in a direction to encourage such by moving support member 20 to a somewhat more outward position than support member 21. In any event, when the track is properly positioned, swinging of the golf club head in a desired path is encouraged because if the club head deviates substantially in either lateral dimension it will contact either sidewall 28 or 29 of track 24 thereby indicating to the golfer the deviation from the intended path.

The golf practice apparatus of the invention can be used in various ways as a practice aid. Thus, when used on a golf driving range, regular golf balls can be used. In more restricted areas plastic practice balls can be used or when used indoors an imprint of a golf ball can be made on the bottom 27 of the track. Although not shown in the drawings, an aperture can be formed in bottom wall 27 of the track to accommodate a golf tee so as to permit practice with a driving club.

Those modifications and equivalents which fall within the spirit of the invention are to be considered a part thereof.

I claim:

1. A golf practice apparatus comprising a body cage member having portions thereof adapted for adjustable positioning closely adjacent to the hips of a golfer, a hitting track member structurally connected to and adjustably positionable a desired distance from said body cage member and having vertical wall portions thereof defining a path for travel of a golfclub head. 

1. A golf practice apparatus comprising a body cage member having portions thereof adapted for adjustable positioning closely adjacent to the hips of a golfer, a hitting track member structurally connected to and adjustably positionable a desired distance from said body cage member and having vertical wall portions thereof defining a path for travel of a golf club head. 